Who is in charge of my care?

• GP He just gave us the news.
• Surgeon was next and she was very helpful, explained everything that would be done, handed me the paper work and organised which hospital to book into.
• Breast Care Nurse didnt show up until after the operation and then was my sense of humour and solid base for all my questions
• Cancer Council was the first place I rang, locally and had a rant and cry to and they always know who to ring, and what free services are available
• Community Nurse, I tracked down and organised.  They will come to your house for free if you need. Once I made contact they visited me, or contacted me all the way through until I finished Radiaiton.  I phoned them to come to my house and help me with an automatic injection I had to give myself.
• Oncologist & Rads Dr, same person, they organised that side.  Receptionists always booked appointments.
• My Journey Kit, Berlei Bra, and small pillow, and a bag to carry a drip in all given to me and organised via Breast Care Nurse.
• A physio even visited me in hospital originally and then I consistently booked into a Lymphodaema Physio for my Cording and compression sleeve as preventative for Lymph.
• The McGrath Nurse, get intouch with that organisation too.  She was brought into Launceston right at the end of my Radiation, so I was well over my concerns  by then
• Cancer Council in Launceston have a Counsellor for emotional issues, and one for medical based concerns.  I needed help as a Triple Negative to think about my future in a positive way, and to not focus on the past - look forward.
• I just kept ringing every one and asking.
• I even phoned the Cancer Council to ask for phone numbers for funding for a cleaner, which I wasnt eligible for
• Supermarkets deliver groceries to your home too
• There are vouchers for transport, accom, there are community pick up service etc
• The My Journey Kit, has all the info you need to all the phone numbers, all the advice, its for free, order one at bottom of page.
• Oh and I gratiously used all the free COUNSELLING provided.
• Just keep asking us here on the BCNA you wont be alone, and we can suggest great idea, give you emotional support.
• There are also volunteers via the Cancer Council who can link with you on a phone in your age group and circumstances, as a buddy system.

I live in Launceston Tasmania, and we are often thought of as the little place below Australia that doesnt have much.  If you have breast cancer here, you are adopted by a family full of love and support and every medical facility you need.  How lucky i was to have moved to Launceston.  I wonder where you are living Cas.  They sound a bit blaze about it, and if I were you Id start making lots of phone calls, and pool together as much help as you can find!  XX Bel